TUAN Ibrahim Tuan Man should focus on issues relating to his ministry and not meddle in trivial issues based on race and religion, Teresa Kok said. 

In a statement, the Seputeh MP slammed the environment and water minister after his statement that the cabinet has agreed to bar the production of goods with brand names that can affect the sensitivities of any race or religion, following the controversy over the name of the locally made Timah whisky.

“I read his statement with great amusement. I also wonder whether Tuan Ibrahim understands the global and local challenges of his own ministry in the government, namely the Ministry of Environment and Water, and whether he is committed to the causes too,” she said in the statement.

Kok also questioned the minister’s absence at the 26th Session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change or COP 26 in Glasgow, Scotland, which begins today.

“However, our Malaysian Environment Minister Tuan Ibrahim is not only absent at this important world environment conference, his major concern in the country now is not on climate change but is on the name of a locally produced whisky and the names of other consumer products.

“Is this the job scope of the minister of environment and water? Is the name of a Malaysian whisky going to cause the increase of carbon emissions in Malaysia or pollute the water sources in Malaysia?” she asked. 

Kok also asked whether Tuan Ibrahim will present a list of product names sensitive to Muslims and bar them from being sold as a key performance indicator (KPI) in his first 100 days minister evaluation.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said that all cabinet ministers will be evaluated within 100 days after he took office in August.

“I urge Tuan Ibrahim to uphold the objectives and functions of the Ministry of Environment and Water, to enhance public awareness on environment protection and climate change, and not to sensationalise trivial issues based on race and religion,” she said. 

On October 18, Muslim clerics in the PAS Ulama Wing expressed their concerns over the recent controversy surrounding the whisky.

Malaysian-made whisky, Timah, is sold at RM190 per bottle and contains 40% alcohol.

In an explanation offered by the whisky company, the name “Timah” references tin mining in colonial Malaya, while the man depicted on the bottle label is Captain Speedy, who is said to have introduced whisky culture to the country.

The company, Winepak Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd, said it was with this historical backdrop in mind that the name “Timah” was used and that it had not intended to ignite any controversy.

The company also explained that any interpretation of the name unrelated to Malaysian tin mining is false. – October 31, 2021.